Travelling from Cardiff Airport (CWL) to Washington DC: what you need to know
Washington DC is four hours behind Cardiff, where Cardiff Airport is located. Washington DC follows the UTC-4 timezone.
For stress-free travel, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This ensures you have enough time to board your CWL to Washington DC flight.
Delays at security and check-in are likely if you're heading away during high season, so give yourself even more breathing space. A good general rule for peak times? Arrive up to four hours early for international flights and at least two hours for domestic departures.
Stopovers are the ideal opportunity to take a break from travelling and maybe even explore a different city. When browsing for plane tickets from CWL to Washington DC, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Here are some options to consider:
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
Dublin Airport (DUB)
Keflavik International Airport (KEF)
Located around 9 miles from central Cardiff, CWL can be reached in about 30 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey on public transport will take roughly 1 hour 5 minutes.
Planning to catch an early flight from Cardiff Airport to Washington DC? Avoid the stress of rushing to the airport (and catch some extra z's) by choosing one of these stays near CWL:
66.16% of flights that leave from Cardiff Airport make it to their destination on schedule.
How to find the cheapest flights from Cardiff Airport (CWL) to Washington DC
The lowest price we've seen for a one-way Cardiff Airport to Washington DC flight is £413. The cheapest price for a return flight is £547. Bear in mind fares can change due to availability at the time of booking.
Booking in advance is often the key to securing a cheap flight from CWL to Washington DC. Airlines adjust prices based on demand, so the closer your departure date, the more you'll likely spend.
The 'Whole month' search tool will show you the cheapest tickets from Cardiff Airport to Washington DC throughout the entire month. It's an easy way to find a bargain if your plans aren't set in stone.
Picking up a cheap flight from CWL to Washington DC couldn't be easier with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic notifications and we'll let you know when the price has dropped.
Find a cheap flight from Cardiff Airport to Washington DC with the help of our filters. Select your ideal times, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Airports in Washington DC
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) to the centre of Washington DC takes around 15 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 5 miles away.
When travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of about 45 minutes.
Look into staying at a hotel near DCA if you have a late flight from Cardiff Airport to Washington DC. Select one of these accommodation options and make your arrival easier:
Grab a Ronald Reagan National Airport rental car and discover Washington DC and beyond with your own set of wheels. Thrifty, Sixt and Dollar are popular outlets you can book with here.
Booking your ride from Ronald Reagan National Airport about four weeks in advance of your flight from CWL to Washington DC can help you secure the lowest rate.
The address for DCA is 1 Aviation Circle.
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) is roughly 35 miles from central Washington DC. Once you've hopped off your flight from Cardiff Airport to Washington DC, it'll take you around 50 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a ride-share or cab.
If you choose to travel on public transport, you'll get to the city centre in 1 hour 10 minutes or so.
There are some great places ready to welcome you near IAD. Settle in and get cosy after your CWL to Washington DC flight at any of these well-located options:
Forget about public transport timetables or long cab queues. Grab a Washington Dulles International Airport rental car and let the journey unfold your way. Check out the rates and availability from Dollar, Thrifty and Sixt.
Secure your first choice, not your last resort. Securing your ride from IAD one week in advance often means better deals and a bigger choice of vehicles.
You'll find Washington Dulles International Airport at 1 Saarinen Circle.
Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
Step off your flight from Cardiff Airport to Washington DC and go straight to your hotel or start exploring right away. The centre of Washington DC is around 30 miles from Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) and usually takes 50 minutes to drive there.
If you're travelling on public transport, the journey will take you about 1 hour 30 minutes.
If you don't want to make the journey into the centre, head for a hotel near BWI. Make yourself comfy at one of these options after your CWL to Washington DC flight:
Whether you're searching for a compact for solo travel or a roomy SUV to fit the whole crew comfortably, you'll find the right Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport rental car for you. Explore the types of wheels available here from providers such as Dollar, Thrifty and Budget.
Around two weeks ahead of your flight from Cardiff Airport to Washington DC is the ideal time to secure your ride from BWI. You're more likely to lock in a better rate or score some early bird savings.
Best time to go to Washington DC
Plan your trip to Washington DC during peak season if you want a bustling atmosphere, but remember that prices are generally higher. Alternatively, book your flights from Cardiff Airport to Washington DC during the off-season when prices are cheaper and it's not as busy.
Lock in a Cardiff Airport to Washington DC plane ticket with a departure in July to visit the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures to range from 19ºC (66ºF) to 33ºC (91ºF).
If you'd rather travel in cooler conditions, search for a cheap ticket from CWL to Washington DC in January when temperatures average between -6ºC (21ºF) and 10ºC (50ºF).
More about Washington DC
Once you've booked your flight from Cardiff Airport to Washington DC, find a hotel that keeps you close to what you want to see. Make one of these options your base for exploring Washington DC:
There are so many things to do and see in this city it can be tricky to work out where to start. The White House, White House Historical Association and National Mall are highlights which should be on any well-planned Washington DC itinerary.
Explore more of United States
Washington DC has plenty to offer, but there are so many other parts of United States you should also see. About 200 miles north-east of Washington DC, a trip to New York will keep you on the go. Don't miss top attractions like Statue of Liberty, Central Park and Empire State Building.
Philadelphia is another essential stop in United States and is around 120 miles north-east of Washington DC. No trip is complete without visiting Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and Philadelphia Museum of Art.